Riding his boat while listening to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida on the radio at the creation of the world is scorched, scorched in John Kerry's memory.

Most politicians are intelligent, educated people. They know the geological basics of our planets history. But they also know the very big, very vocal fundamentalist contributors to their campaigns do not want to hear about geological science.

Frederick: Most politicians are intelligent, educated people. They know the geological basics of our planets history. But they also know the very big, very vocal fundamentalist contributors to their campaigns do not want to hear about geological science.

Ummmm... no.

MOST politicians are no more educated, intelligent, or moral than the general populace, and often significantly less so. They go to church and they believe, just like other Americans. Its not an act, for most of them.

I find it very frightening indeed that people who believe that they can communicate telepathically with an invisible, omnipotent being. Seriously - if they can suspend reason that much, their capacity for self-delusion is inestimable.

Benevolent Misanthrope: MOST politicians are no more educated, intelligent, or moral than the general populace, and often significantly less so. They go to church and they believe, just like other Americans. Its not an act, for most of them.

I find it very frightening indeed that people who believe that they can communicate telepathically with an invisible, omnipotent being. Seriously - if they can suspend reason that much, their capacity for self-delusion is inestimable.


Beautifully said.

Benevolent Misanthrope: Frederick: Most politicians are intelligent, educated people. They know the geological basics of our planets history. But they also know the very big, very vocal fundamentalist contributors to their campaigns do not want to hear about geological science.

Ummmm... no.

MOST politicians are no more educated, intelligent, or moral than the general populace, and often significantly less so. They go to church and they believe, just like other Americans. Its not an act, for most of them.

I find it very frightening indeed that people who believe that they can communicate telepathically with an invisible, omnipotent being. Seriously - if they can suspend reason that much, their capacity for self-delusion is inestimable.

Well, I certainly didnt mention morality -I know better than that. The US has an approximate rate of 40% for college degrees among 25+ yo. I havent verified it, but I'd imagine that more than 40% of US politicians have college degrees. That speaks to education and vicariously intelligence (I know college degree and intelligence arent absolutely synonymous).

The point I was trying to make is that politicians likely intentionally misrepresent themselves to appeal to their base. George W Bush was not an observant, practicing Christian but represented himself that way securing the Evangelical vote to win two presidencies.

Frederick: That speaks to education and vicariously intelligence (I know college degree and intelligence arent absolutely synonymous).

Yeah, I wouldn't relate intelligence and college degrees. Look at any MBA program.

Forget the Twinkie thing, these two and others like them on your F-ing science committee is why the rest of the world points and laughs.
How did you guys get to the moon with guys like this in charge?

/knows they weren't in charge then...
//wonders how they are now.

I'm to depressed by the article to comment on it.

Old enough to know better, too young to care?

Benevolent Misanthrope: MOST politicians are no more educated, intelligent, or moral than the general populace, and often significantly less so. They go to church and they believe, just like other Americans. Its not an act, for most of them.

I disagree. MOST politicians are actually more educated and intelligent than the general populace. They're not smarter than everybody; but, they're smarter than most.

But, they're also FAR LESS moral...which is why they say such stupid things: they're pandering to the (very stupid) masses. 

/at least in Washington
//worked in government there for a couple of years
///that town is FULL of well-educated people saying ridiculously stupid things. On purpose.

In Rubio's "defense," it doesn't matter what he believes. It only matters, to him, what other Republicans thinks he believes. If he were to give any non-young earth creationist answer he risks being declared a RINO and would face a primary challenge and less funds. It's just more in the interest to a Republican to be super vague if not actually stupid in regards to science.

wippit: Could God have created the stuff on Day 1, and then, oh... had a nap for 1.2 billion years?

Or, even if you believe in the judeochristolamic deities, you could agree that the creation myth is a myth, and the details are not meant to be representative of actual events.

enry: Then again, I don't have a hard time separating my beliefs (God exists, Jesus rose from the dead, etc.) from what I know (the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, evolution is real, etc.). Belief for me recognizes there's little to no substantial proof.

If it's your belief that "God exists, Jesus rose from the dead," why do you believe it?

This is a serious question, by the way. I'm not out to argue with you about your beliefs. I'm just curious as to why you hold them.

I love that some of these clowns think religious dogma and creation myths should be treated as equal to scientific theories based on research and observation.

Pochas: If the person is a scientifically illiterate dumbass, they has no business running for national office

They have no business in polite society and should be shunned.

keylock71: I love that some of these clowns think religious dogma and creation myths should be treated as equal to scientific theories based on research and observation.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only Farker who's worked in government (although, I can't possibly be).

Politicians -- and, I'm saying this after observing them up close -- don't care about religious dogma or creation myths. And, they don't care about scientific theories. The vast majority of them care only about their own power and influence. Many will say the most nonsensical, bizarre, outlandish, absurd things if they think the public wants to hear it. The nature of politics naturally attracts egomaniacs and snake oil salesmen.

You want to know what a politician really thinks? Wait till he's retired.  Or, wait till some tragedy brings the meaning of life into focus for him (see Lee Atwater). Then, you might get the truth.

thornhill: eraser8: I disagree. MOST politicians are actually more educated and intelligent than the general populace. They're not smarter than everybody; but, they're smarter than most.

Oh please. Virtually all members of Congress went to college and come from solid educational backgrounds.

I highly doubt that they've gone their life without learning that the age of the Earth is in the billions of years.

Um, that's pretty much my point. Did you somehow miss that?

A sample of why it is impossible to get any answer from a politician.

Interviewer: Do you like twinkies?
Politician: 11
Interviewer: O_O

/Politicians never answer the question asked.